Taiwan's government plans to spend $18 billion on strengthening the island's "resilience", including helping industries hit by US tariffs and boosting its defences against Chinese threats, the cabinet said Thursday.

The special budget bill was approved on Thursday but it has to be passed by the opposition-controlled parliament before it can take effect.

The NT$550 billion ($18 billion) in funds would be used to support industries hit by the United States' 20 percent tariff, and provide cash handouts to people, the cabinet said.

It also included NT$150 billion for strengthening Taiwan's defences, such as buying more coast guard patrol boats, making drones and boosting the military's command and control systems.

Defence Minister Wellington Koo said the funding would "increase our combat

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